US Citizen Reunited with Saudi Family After 40 Years of Separation
In a heartwarming turn of events, a four-decade long search has culminated in the reunion of an US citizen with his Saudi family. The reunion marks the end of a painful era filled with longing and disappointment, as the family had been searching for their lost sons for years.
Eid Alsumani, now 42 years old, and his older brother’s American mother had cut ties with the family decades ago for reasons unknown to the public. The mother had met Saud Alsumani while he was studying in the US, and they had two sons together.
Decades of Searching and Hope
After the mother returned to Alabama with the boys, all communication between them and their father was severed, who had returned to Saudi Arabia. Despite numerous attempts to locate the lost brothers, including seeking help from the American Embassy and the Saudi Embassy in Washington, the family had no success.
Bander Alsumani, Eid’s cousin, shared that the family never lost hope in finding the brothers, holding on to the belief that they were still alive.
Reunion and Joy
The breakthrough came when Eid’s uncle, Khalid Alsumani, managed to locate Eid on Instagram after years of searching. The family rejoiced at the news of Eid’s discovery, although it came with the sad revelation that his older brother had passed away.
Eid and his family were finally reunited on May 9, with many members meeting their 42-year-old relative for the first time. The emotional reunion at King Abdulaziz International Airport was captured in a heartwarming video that went viral on social media.
Embracing Saudi Roots
Eid, who was raised with Christian values, has reconnected with Islam with the help of his Saudi relatives. He described his experience in Makkah, performing Umrah and praying in the Grand Mosque, as a transformative moment in his life.
Looking ahead, Eid expressed his desire to continue learning about his religion, Arabic, and his newfound family in Saudi Arabia. His journey of rediscovery and reunion continues, filled with hope and gratitude for the blessings that have come his way.